How to pronounce presto
Say it like PRES-toh. Presto has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PRES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce presto. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PRES
- toh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Presto pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PRESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of presto
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: PRES-toh.
What does presto mean?
- Very fast or quickly; a directive for the musician(s) to play in a very quick tempo.
- Used by magicians when performing a trick; ta-da; voilà.“So I put my hand into the hat and presto! Out comes a rabbit!”
- A pair of fives as a starting hand in Texas hold 'em.
Where does presto come from?
From Italian presto (“quickly”).
Words that rhyme with presto
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of presto.
Questions about saying presto
How do you pronounce presto?
Say PRES-toh. The American pronunciation is /ˈprɛstoʊ/. In British English it is /ˈprɛstəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in presto?
Presto has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PRES). Broken into parts: PRES · toh.
Is presto pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈprɛstəʊ/ (PRES-toh).